The two-year-old who 'looks pregnant' due to a rare cancer

A toddler is battling a rare and aggressive cancer that has left her 'looking pregnant'.

Cleo Keenan, of Blackpool, suddenly developed an abnormal swelling in her midriff earlier this year, which doctors put down to a hormone imbalance she has suffered from before.

It was not until she endured severe abdominal pain that a CT scan revealed the two-year-old is suffering from stage three adrenal carcinoma, which affects the outer layer of the adrenal glands. 

Following her April 1 diagnosis, Cleo started chemotherapy and blood transfusions. And she requires more treatment to shrink the tumour before surgery to remove it. 

However, her parents Shannon Latham, 23, and Ryan Keenan, 26, have been told their 'little warrior' has just a 25-to-35 per cent chance of surviving, with the tumour returning in 80 per cent of cases.  

Cleo Keenan is battling a rare and aggressive cancer that has left her 'looking pregnant'

Since being diagnosed on April 1, the two-year-old has endured chemotherapy and blood transfusions

Cleo Keenan (left) is battling a rare and aggressive cancer that has left her 'looking pregnant'. Since being diagnosed on April 1, the toddler (pictured right in hospital) has endured chemotherapy and blood transfusions, and requires more treatment before surgery

The youngster's mother Shannon Latham calls Cleo her 'little fighter', adding she is 'so strong'. Ms Latham is pictured with her daughters Emelia, five, Cleo and Ellie-Mae, four (left-to-right)

The youngster's mother Shannon Latham calls Cleo her 'little fighter', adding she is 'so strong'. Ms Latham is pictured with her daughters Emelia, five, Cleo and Ellie-Mae, four (left-to-right)

Speaking of her daughter's symptoms, Ms Latham said: 'She looked like she was pregnant. I was getting more and more concerned.'

Cleo was taken to a medical centre in February, where doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as being nothing new. 

'Because of her hormone changes, they thought she had a hormone imbalance,' Ms Latham said.

Cleo was then rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital's A&E department last month with a severe stomach ache.

The youngster was given a CT scan, which revealed the huge tumour inside her abdomen.

She was taken to Manchester Children's Hospital the next day for further tests. Two weeks later, she received the devastating diagnosis.

'It was such a shock when we found out,' Ms Latham said. 'It's just begun to sink in because she's so young and she's such a bright child.

'She had always been absolutely healthy. She was like any other two-year-old.'

Doctors initially thought Cleo's swollen abdomen was the result of a hormonal balance she has suffered from before

A CT scan revealed the cancer after she endured crippling pain

Doctors initially thought Cleo's swollen abdomen (left and right) was due to a hormonal balance she has suffered from before. A scan revealed the cancer after she endured pain

Cleo required urgent treatment, which began the day after she was diagnosed.

Ms Latham - who is also

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